@acbulldoghockey Rises in USCHO.com National Rankings to No. 2; Maintains Top D3hockey.com Billing

ADRIAN, Mich.--The Adrian College men's hockey program remains No. 1 in the D3hockey.com Top-15 and moved up a spot to No. 2 in the US College Hockey Online (USCHO.com) Division III poll, as both outlets released their first regular-season national rankings on Monday.

Ranked third in last week's Minneapolis-based USCHO.com preseason poll, the Bulldogs picked up six 1st-place votes among 272 points. Northern Collegiate Hockey Association rival St. Norbert College replaced defending national champion Norwich University for the top spot, as the Green Knights received 284 points (seven 1st-place votes) and the Cadets fell to fifth with 201 (one 1st-place vote).

Meanwhile in the D3hockey version, Adrian is No. 1 for the second straight week after receiving 295 points and 17 first-place votes, outdistancing Trinity-Conn. which has 262 and 1. The Bulldogs also increased their grip in the Bloomington, Minn.-based media outlet's rankings by 33 total points and 15 first-place votes after being the Preseason No. 1 with 281 and eight.

In a 4-2 exhibition defeat at the hands of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team (NTDP U-18) on Saturday, the Bulldogs proved their mettle against a squad that features 17 National Hockey League prospects. Junior Bryan Yim scored shorthanded in the second period and senior Austin Rust tallied a goal in the third to bring AC within 3-2, but the U18s iced the win with an empty-net goal with 33 seconds remaining in the contest. Junior netminder Kevin Entmaa kept the Bulldogs in it by turning aside 30 of 33 shots he faced.

The Bulldogs will open their 2017-18 campaign in earnest on Friday, Nov. 3, at NCHA foe Lawrence University. After a five-game road swing to begin the season, Adrian's home opener is against NCAA newcomer Trine University on Saturday, Nov. 18 (7:05 p.m.).